One of Canada's foremost design bookbinders, Pierre Ouvrard has prepared more than five hundred beautiful, unique bindings over his fifty-year career. Design binding is unusual branch of the book arts, blending craftsmanship, artistry, and literary sensitivity. In Ouvrard's hands, the book becomes a work of art as fine as any painting. This volume features more than three hundred of his best creations, including the sumptuous Governor General's Literary Award collection. The introductory essays, presented in both English and French, provide a context for appreciating this versatile artist: Alfred Van Peteghem (author and rare-book dealer); Normand Biron (art critic); and Pierre Ouvrard himself. "Pierre Ouvrard's enthusiasm for his craft together with his enormous output over many years have resulted in a collection of work of unparalleled magnitude in the recent history of hand bookbinding in Canada. For those who enjoy unravelling the meaning behind bookbinders' designs, this profusely illustrated book and fitting tribute to the man will provide a treasure trove of ideas ranging from the disarmingly simple to the provocatively enigmatic." - Michael Wilcox, master bookbinder, Burleigh Falls, Ontario

Merrill Distad is Associate University Librarian for Research & Special Collections Services at the University of Alberta, where he has been employed since 1987.

Merrill Distad's profile page

Jeannine Green was head of the Bruce Peel Special Collections Library at the University of Alberta. She received a BASpec and Master’s Degree in Library Science from the University of Alberta and was a sessional lecturer at the University’s School of Library and Information Studies, where she taught History of the Book.

Jeannine Green's profile page

• Alberta Book Publishing Awards - Trade Book of the Year, Silver Award
• Alberta Book Publishing Awards - Book Design of the Year, Silver Award

"As unexpected as it is delightful.. the book sets a new standard for this kind of publishing in Canada, and one expects it will be a long time before this production is bettered." Ralph Stanton (Papers of the Bibliographical Society of Canada)

"This catalog visually documents the vision and passion of a man dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the art of bookbinding, and commemorates the installation of the Pierre Ouvrard Collection at the library of the University of Alberta. This publication will have great appeal to the craftsperson and those who appreciate artistic skill and the beauty of the handmade object. Graduate students through professionals." D. Ichiyama, Purdue University, CHOICE